North Mayo Under 16 'B' Final (Tuesday 28-July-98)

Ardnaree gain quick compensation for earlier setback

Ardnaree........................5-10
Lahardane......................1-12

Ardnaree Sarsfields under-14 footballers walked off James Stephens Park, Ballina, suffering the pangs of a six points defeat in the divisional final replay to Lahardane, but the under-16 footballers compensated two evenings later at St. Tiernan's Park, Crossmolina. In this decider Lahardane faced a success-hungry Ardnaree team and experienced the full brunt of the Sarsfields sole intentions by the 4th minute when Kieran Rouse, after a pin-point pass from Dara McDonagh, crashed in a goal.

The Moysider's joy was short-lived however, as Lahardane roared back for a similar score one minute later by county under-16 player Cormac Rowland after a fine delivery into the goalmouth by Eamon Crean.

The game looked set to develop into an epic but the large attendance were soon to learn that Ardnaree had brought their own script with them.

It included a second goal by Kieran Rouse in the 10th minute, following earlier points by Peter Sheridan and Liam Naughton, to ease them ahead where they remained to the end.

Repeated efforts by Cormac Rowland, Patrick Rowland, Dylan Nolan, Derek Glynn and Brendan Ruttledge to force a breach in the Sarsfield defensive wall were driven well back before Cormac Rowland ended a barren period of twelve minutes with a point.

During that period of dominance by Lahardane it was Ardnaree defenders such as Ian Fergusan and Stephen Lacken who inspired greater determination from Kevin Donnellan, Dara O'Donnell, James Fergusan and Pat McNally.

The destructive forces of Ardnaree were back on the trail quickly with points by Trevor Marshall and David O'Malley to top up the advantage to seven points.

A second-half Lahardane revival was in progress - points by Derek Glynn and Cormac Rowland had cut the deficit down to three points - when Ardnaree took full advantage of a penalty to pull clear again, Leo troy making no mistake from the spot.

Battling Lahardane never really recovered from that blow and in the final quarter conceded two more goals by Leo Troy and Trevor Marshall.

Lahardane: O. Diffley, P. Corcoran, P. Crean, D. Marley, D. Sheridan, P. Reilly (0-1); P. McDermott, G. Naughton, E. Crean, P. Rowland, D. Nolan, D. Glynn (0-2); B. Ruttledge (1-0); C. Rowland (0-6); Fergal McCormack. Sub.: P. Coleman (for McCormack).

Referee: P. Dowling.